Iowa State looking for volutneers for cholesterol study

An Iowa State University study team is looking for people with high cholesterol to study effects of flaxseed on the problem. Professor Suzanne Hendrich says they’re hoping to find an alternative to current drugs to treat high cholesterol.

Hendrich says they’re trying to understand if a component of flaxseed called lignans are capable of lowering high cholesterol levels, especially for people with high levels of L-D-L, or "bad" cholesterol levels. Hendrich says if your overall cholesterol level is between 230 to 240, then you are in the high category.

She says they will typically take a blood test to confirm you cholesterol level. Hendrich says high L-D-L cholesterol is defined as being 140 or above. Hendrich says they’re looking for men between the ages of 40 and 65 or females between the ages of 50 and 65 who are no more than five years post-menopause.

Hendrich says they want people who are not taking cholesterol-lowering medication, or medication for high blood pressure. Hendrich says they are especially interested in people who’re looking for an alternative to the current cholesterol drugs.

Hendrich says some people may have chosen not to take the cholesterol lowering drugs, or aren’t able to tolerate them, and she says they are interested in having those people in the study.

Hendrich says participants in the study will take daily supplement tablets, provide several small blood samples, and answer questions. Their blood pressure, height and weight will be measured periodically, and compensation is available for participants.

For more information, or to volunteer for the study, contact Hendrich at:515-294-4272, or e-mail Hendrich at:shendric@iastate.edu.